A total 9.5 per cent of people in Malta were living in severely materially deprived households, according to the National Statistics’ Office survey on income and living conditions, carried out in 2013.

The results indicate that 24 per cent of children under 18 years were at-risk-of-poverty. The at-risk-of-poverty rate of children in households with five or more persons was calculated at 28.5 per cent, and at 45.9 per cent for children living in single-parent households.

With regard to persons aged 65 and over, the at-risk-of-poverty rate was calculated at 14.9 per cent, 71.4 per cent of whom were home owners.

According to data obtained from households, 16.7 per cent of children were living in households that could not afford to eat a meal with meat, chicken, fish, or a vegetarian equivalent every other day. Such a proportion was estimated at 10.7 per cent for the population segment aged 65 and over. Additionally, 26.4 per cent of children were living in households that could not afford unexpected financial expenses, compared to 21.3 per cent of persons aged 65 and over.

Another material deprivation indicator was the ability to keep one’s home adequately warm in winter. Basing on perceptions that emerged from the survey, 22.9 per cent of children and 23.5 per cent of elderly persons were living in households that faced difficulties in affording such items.

It also emerged that 11.8 per cent of persons aged under 18 were living in severely materially deprived households, while this proportion was calculated at 7.1 per cent for persons aged 65 and over.

Nearly a third (32 per cent) of all children were considered to be at-risk-of-poverty or social exclusion. On the other hand, this rate was 20.8 per cent for those aged 65 and over.